Chapter 427 The Crown Prince
That night, in the side hall of Pineapple Palace.
Wen Lier finally understood what kind of "skills" Yan Shixu's so-called "method of exercising martial arts" was!
He actually wrapped "little Asu" in her new and exquisitely embroidered clothes and pants in front of her, and his actions were full of embarrassing hints!
"His Majesty--!"
Wen Li'er was both embarrassed and annoyed, her cheeks were so red that they seemed to bleed.
She stared at him with a pair of beautiful eyes, her voice trembling with anger, and she almost cried.
"You...you told me before that my missing underwear was soiled by Liu Qing, so you burned it!"
At this moment, Yan Shixu seemed to be feeling justified and had a strong argument.
"Of course it's because of her! If she hadn't drugged me, why would I have used Li'er's underwear? But..."
He leaned in closer, his hot lips almost touching her sensitive earlobe, his breath was hot, and his voice was seductively hoarse.
"The feeling of Li'er's little clothes wrapping up 'Little Ah Xu' is truly a unique kind of ecstasy."
Wen Lier: "...you...you...you hooligan!"
She was so angry that she grabbed a soft pillow and threw it at him.
Seeing that he had really annoyed the other person, Yan Shixu quickly stopped joking and caught the pillow with his quick eyes and hands.
He stretched out his long arms and pulled his ashamed and angry little wife into his arms, and coaxed her with soft words for a while.
Not until Wen Li'er's struggles gradually weakened did he take out a bright yellow imperial edict from the sleeve of the dragon robe he had just taken off, like a magic trick, and handed it to her.
"Here, take a look at this, and calm down."
Wen Li'er's eyes were attracted by the bright yellow scroll and she took it with confusion.
"The imperial edict to appoint a crown prince? Has His Majesty already set a date?"
Yan Shixu nodded and his expression became serious.
"Tomorrow morning, during the court session, I will bring Tiantian to the Golden Throne Hall. After the imperial edict is read, he will be worshipped by all the ministers and officially take up residence in the Eastern Palace."
Wen Li'er stared at the solemn words "The Third Prince of the Emperor, Yan Xingtian" on the imperial edict, feeling mixed emotions.
"Yes. Your Majesty has the final say."
…
The next day, it was just after the hour of Yin.
Just a hint of pale blue could be seen in the sky, and the majestic and solemn palace had awakened from the silence before dawn.
The heavy vermilion-painted palace doors opened one after another with low creaking sounds, and court officials dressed in official uniforms of various ranks entered the palace from the four gates like a silent tide.
The sound of boots echoing along the long and empty imperial road was neat and solemn.
Finally, they gathered in front of the Golden Throne Hall, which symbolized the highest power center of the Great Yan Kingdom.
Inside the hall, the golden pillars with coiled dragons are as thick as dragons, supporting the high and deep dome.
Yan Shixu was wearing a black robe with twelve emblems and a crown with twelve tassels, and he was sitting on the nine-dragon throne.
The jade ornaments hanging from the crown tassel swayed slightly, covering his deep eyes, leaving only his tightly pursed thin lips and angular jaw.
He exudes the imperial majesty that looks down upon all living beings.
The eunuch general Yongtai held a bright yellow scroll in his hands and stood before the steps, reading the imperial edict:
"The Emperor, by the grace of Heaven and the Mandate of Heaven, proclaims: The position of Crown Prince is of vital importance to the nation, and the country depends on it. The Third Prince, Yan Xingtian, is gifted with intelligence, benevolent and filial, diligent and studious, and a true reflection of my own character. Respecting the ancestral temple and the wishes of my subjects, I hereby, in strict compliance with your instructions and in accordance with proper ceremony, bestow upon Yan Xingtian the imperial seal and designate him as Crown Prince. He will assume the throne of the Crown Prince, thus strengthening the foundation of the nation. He will receive Heaven's favor and bring eternal peace to the people. This is proclaimed throughout the land, and all shall know. I decree this!"
"Long live the Emperor! Long live His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"
The thunderous cheers of congratulations rang out in unison, and the sound waves seemed to overturn the glittering glazed tiles on the roof of the temple.
Countless gazes, filled with awe, scrutiny, expectation, and complex and inexplicable emotions, were all focused on the small figure beneath the Danbi.
Yan Xingtian, who was only seven years old, wore a black four-clawed python robe specially made for him and a golden crown on his head.
His small body seemed even thinner under the loose robe, but he stood straight as a pine tree.
His young face was tense, trying hard to maintain the composure and dignity of a crown prince.
During the long process of Yongtai announcing the decree, he kept his head down and listened attentively.
A pair of small hands were neatly folded in front of the knees, motionless.
This determination and composure far beyond his age made many old ministers who had served through three dynasties show approval in their eyes.
At this moment, the imperial edict was announced and the congratulations began.
Yan Xingtian took a deep breath and slowly stood up under the extremely solemn gaze of everyone in the hall.
The golden crown and jade tassels on his head swayed gently with his movements.
He took a step forward and walked to the front of the Danbi, his movements meticulous and with royal demeanor ingrained in his bones.
He bent his knees again, prostrated deeply, and respectfully touched his forehead to the cold and smooth gold brick floor.
"Your son, Yan Xingtian, bows to thank the emperor for his great grace! Long live the emperor, long live the emperor, long live the emperor!"
The voice was clear, with a child's unique timbre, but it was trying to be high and steady, trying to suppress the childishness.
After the kneeling ceremony, he did not stand up immediately, but remained kneeling, raised his head, and looked over the high steps of the Danbi to his father who was sitting high on the Nine Dragon Throne.
"I am still young, yet my father has bestowed upon me the position of crown prince. This is a great favor, and a heavy trust placed in me by the nation."
"Although I am dull, I know that this position is related to the well-being of all people and the foundation of our ancestors' country."
"I, your son, hereby swear: From now on, I will be self-disciplined and diligent, working tirelessly day and night. I will respect the teachings of my father, the emperor, and my mother, the empress, and honor my teachers. I will study with an open mind, cultivate my virtue and wisdom through the study of literature, and strengthen my body through the practice of martial arts."
"You must serve your parents with a benevolent and filial heart, care for your subjects with a generous heart, and handle common affairs with diligence and prudence."
His voice became louder and louder, and he solemnly promised:
"I will live up to the expectations of my father, the Empress Dowager, and my mother, the trust placed in me by my ancestors, and the hopes of all my subjects! I will do my utmost to uphold my duties as Crown Prince. When I inherit the throne, I will be a wise ruler, safeguarding the eternal stability of our Great Yan Empire and the well-being of our people! Please rest assured, Father!"
Every word and sentence is clear, powerful and resounding.
The solemn promise made by a seven-year-old child, which was extremely inconsistent with his age, plunged the entire Golden Palace into a strange silence.
Many ministers showed unconcealable surprise and emotion in their eyes.
This precocity and responsibility have far exceeded everyone's expectations.
Yan Shixu, sitting high on the throne, still maintained the majesty and composure of an emperor on his face, and his expression under the crown was unclear.
But deep in those eyes, as deep as the abyss, there was admiration, pride, and a touch of the emotion of being a father.
He looked at his small but well-built son standing under the Danbi, as if he saw the proudest continuation of his bloodline and will.
He nodded slightly:
"Good! Since Prince has such aspirations, I am deeply comforted. I hope you will remember the oath you made today, always maintain a reverent heart, diligently study and cultivate virtue, and do not let me down, and do not let the world down."
"Your son will follow your father's teachings!" Yan Xingtian kowtowed deeply again.
Yan Shixu raised his hand and supported him lightly: "Prince, please stand up."
Yan Xingtian stood up as he was told, his small body still standing straight as a javelin, but his small hands, invisible to everyone, curled up slightly in the wide sleeves of his python robe.
Yan Shixu's eyes slowly swept over the ministers standing respectfully below him, and with supreme pressure, he spoke again:
"The Crown Prince is still young and needs diligent study and training. I order the officials of the Eastern Palace to assist and teach him wholeheartedly. All the ministers should also fulfill their duties conscientiously and work together to assist the new crown prince and strengthen the foundation of the country!"
"We obey your command! We will serve His Royal Highness the Crown Prince with all our loyalty and wisdom, sacrificing our lives to the utmost!"
All the ministers responded in unison, and the sound waves gathered again, making the palace buzz.
The most important part of the enthronement ceremony was finally completed.
Under the awe-inspiring gazes of all the civil and military officials in the court, Yan Xingtian retreated step by step from the throne.
…
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